May 2026 Monthly Newsletter

Want to get ahead of TANS?  Join our External TANS Talks.  Each month, we will take an inside look at different parts of the system or look at what you may need to do to help you complete a task in TANS.  This month, we will look at some sections of the NSLP application and explore who you may need to reach out to for information to complete those sections.

We are moving TANS Talk to Teams Webinars starting in May.  The registration link is located on the Square Meals TANS page.  Please note - you will need to register each month.

Use the TANS Talk Feedback Form to submit any TANS questions you would like to see reviewed during the call. We will cover questions received at least 48 hours prior to the call to give our team time to prepare for the meeting.

The next TANS Talk is on Thursday, May 14 at 1 p.m. (CDT).

TDA has approval from USDA to approve SFSP and SSO operators in good standing to serve non-congregate meals at outdoor SFSP or SSO sites when one or both of the following conditions is occurring at the site on the day of service:

• The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Warning, or Excessive Heat Watch

• The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a purple flag or higher air quality warning for the area

The Waiver Request to Serve Summer Non-Congregate Meals in Cases of Extreme Heat/Poor Air Quality must be used to report non-congregate meals served under this waiver. While the form can be submitted after the meal service occurs, TDA will review and approve all requests and submitted supporting documentation. If TDA determines that the applicable weather advisory was not issued or that the sponsor did not meet all requirements as noted below, TDA will notify the sponsor that any non-congregate meals must not be claimed for reimbursement.

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TDA Conference Training: From Stage to Screen
Could not make it to MegaCon this year? Great news! You asked, and we listened. We are bringing the most in-demand conference sessions straight to you through our MegaCon Webinar Series.

Join us each month this summer for interactive training webinars that give you access to the most current information and provide steps you can use right away. You’ll be actively involved from start to finish as our sessions cover everything from your program’s financials to building training that sticks, all while you earn USDA Professional Standards Training hours without ever leaving the office.

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The 2026-2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for all child nutrition programs have been released and posted to SquareMeals.

Additionally, the following resources have been updated with the latest IEGs:

• 2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines for Determining Free or Reduced-Price Benefits (H1625-A) – For CACFP Operators

• 2026-2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines for Determining Free and Reduced Price Benefits (NSLP and SMP Resource)

• Instructions for Applying for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals (NSLP/SBP Resource – English and Spanish)

• Instructions for Applying for Free Milk Benefits (Special Milk Program Resource – English and Spanish)

The following SFSP Participant Notification Prototypes have been updated with the 2026 IEGs:

• 2026 Participant Notification of SFSP Meals - Closed Enrolled Site - NON-AREA ELIGIBLE

• 2026 Participant Notification of SFSP Meals - CAMP SITE

*As SFSP closed enrolled sites, camps, and conditional non-congregate sites will likely be qualifying children at the beginning of the summer, they will need to use the 2026 IEGs that expire on June 30. If determining eligibility for children after June 30, SFSP sponsors are instructed to update the prototypes to reflect the 2027 IEGs.